Oct. 20, 2012

Facts

Want to ride?

Ridin' Hawg Wild 2013 is Saturday starting at RCR Racing Museum, 236 Industrial Drive in Welcome. Registration for the motorcycle ride will be 10 a.m. to noon. Bikes depart at noon and will arrive at Top of the Rock, 339 N. Shore Drive, around 4 p.m. Those not participating in the ride can meet at Top of the Rock at 3 p.m. where live music, a silent auction and games will take place. Proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks. For more information, go to www.ridinhawgwild.com or email ridinhawgwild@yahoo.com.

Ridin' Hawg Wild, an official Barbecue Festival 2013 event, features entertainment, prizes and a poker run through Davidson County on Saturday.

Ridin' Hawg Wild will leave from RCR Racing Museum in Welcome at noon and end at Top of the Rock on High Rock Lake by 4 p.m.

"I think it's a wonderful event that (creator) Mandy (Jones) and a group of volunteers have really put a lot of work and effort into planning," said Stephanie Saintsing Naset, executive director of the festival. "I'm proud of what they've accomplished. It raises awareness and money for autism."

Registration will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $21 and $27 with a rider. The price includes one poker hand, one meal and one-day membership to Top of the Rock. Additional poker hands are $5. A card will be pulled at the beginning, at each of the three stops and at the end.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Autism Speaks. The nonprofit organization assists families affected by autism and conducts research for a cure and cause. Its mission is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.

"Autism is the least funded of all childhood diseases and yet the fastest growing," Jones said. "After researching the best organization to help, I chose Autism Speaks. They are truly making a difference and huge strides in early intervention, and they also provide family support services. Our motto is 'help us help them.'"

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders may cause difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

Those not participating in the ride who want to show support can meet at Top of the Rock around 3 p.m. At that time there will be live music until 8 p.m. The music will be provided by Carolina Moonshine, Elusive Groove and DJ Greg Russell. Patrons will be able to eat with a small donation.

There will also be a silent auction, cornhole game, 50/50 raffle and motorcycles from Tilley Harley-Davidson of Salisbury. Trophies will be awarded to favorite bikes. Cash prizes will be given to the best and worst poker hands.

Jones emphasized it is a family event for all ages to come out and enjoy. The event started five years ago with 11 bikes involved. Last year around 70 bikes participated, and $6,000 was raised. Jones noted they usually have more than 200 people participate.

"We have an overwhelming amount of return riders," Jones said. "Our goal is to spread our wings and reach out to North Carolina. These children need us. Our hope is people will continue to open their hearts to support autism."

Jones has a 13-year-old son, Sammy, who is blind and was diagnosed with autism at an early age. She created the event to bring awareness and to help the cause after seeing firsthand struggles.

"The help these kids need breaks your heart. They need all the support they can get," Jones said. "It blows me away that autism is the least funded and yet the fastest growing. It's under the radar. It's a lot for a parent. We will keep pushing forward."

Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Riding wild for a good cause sums up an annual fundraiser that raises money for and awareness of autism.</p><p>Ridin' Hawg Wild, an official Barbecue Festival 2013 event, features entertainment, prizes and a poker run through Davidson County on Saturday.</p><p>Ridin' Hawg Wild will leave from RCR Racing Museum in Welcome at noon and end at Top of the Rock on High Rock Lake by 4 p.m.</p><p>"I think it's a wonderful event that (creator) Mandy (Jones) and a group of volunteers have really put a lot of work and effort into planning," said Stephanie Saintsing Naset, executive director of the festival. "I'm proud of what they've accomplished. It raises awareness and money for autism." </p><p>Registration will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $21 and $27 with a rider. The price includes one poker hand, one meal and one-day membership to Top of the Rock. Additional poker hands are $5. A card will be pulled at the beginning, at each of the three stops and at the end. </p><p>Proceeds from the event will benefit Autism Speaks. The nonprofit organization assists families affected by autism and conducts research for a cure and cause. Its mission is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.</p><p>"Autism is the least funded of all childhood diseases and yet the fastest growing," Jones said. "After researching the best organization to help, I chose Autism Speaks. They are truly making a difference and huge strides in early intervention, and they also provide family support services. Our motto is 'help us help them.'"</p><p>Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders may cause difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.</p><p>Those not participating in the ride who want to show support can meet at Top of the Rock around 3 p.m. At that time there will be live music until 8 p.m. The music will be provided by Carolina Moonshine, Elusive Groove and DJ Greg Russell. Patrons will be able to eat with a small donation.</p><p>There will also be a silent auction, cornhole game, 50/50 raffle and motorcycles from Tilley Harley-Davidson of Salisbury. Trophies will be awarded to favorite bikes. Cash prizes will be given to the best and worst poker hands.</p><p>Jones emphasized it is a family event for all ages to come out and enjoy. The event started five years ago with 11 bikes involved. Last year around 70 bikes participated, and $6,000 was raised. Jones noted they usually have more than 200 people participate.</p><p>"We have an overwhelming amount of return riders," Jones said. "Our goal is to spread our wings and reach out to North Carolina. These children need us. Our hope is people will continue to open their hearts to support autism."</p><p>Jones has a 13-year-old son, Sammy, who is blind and was diagnosed with autism at an early age. She created the event to bring awareness and to help the cause after seeing firsthand struggles.</p><p>"The help these kids need breaks your heart. They need all the support they can get," Jones said. "It blows me away that autism is the least funded and yet the fastest growing. It's under the radar. It's a lot for a parent. We will keep pushing forward." </p><p>Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.</p>